SUNDERLAND College’s Improtech Soccer football academy has notched a hat-trick of successes – on and off the pitch.

Not only has it won prestigious national recognition in a ground-breaking new team but both men and women’s football teams have won league titles

Off the pitch, the College has been announced as an Association of Colleges (AoC) football Super Hub, in partnership with the FA, underlining the College’s commitment to sporting excellence.

The College will join an elite network of only 22 football Super Hub colleges across the country demonstrating excellence and innovation within football and futsal in the further education sector.

Over the next two academic years, these high performing colleges will showcase their strengths, act as a football development advisory group, be at the forefront of new FA products and initiatives, and receive additional funding to further support the development of the game.

John Rushworth, faculty director for Sport, Health and Wellbeing at Sunderland College, said: “Our students and staff will benefit from the exceptional opportunities that this status brings as we strive for continuous improvement.

“We are exceptionally proud of our men and women’s Football Development Centres at Sunderland College and our Super Hub status further supports our football and academic ambitions for our student athletes.”

Meanwhile, on the pitch, the women’s football team at Sunderland College has been crowned North East Colleges Champions in the futsal league.

They were unbeaten in all of their qualifying games and defeated New College Durham in the final 4-1.

Sixteen- year old Sunderland College student Abigail Phipps from Washington, who scored a hat trick in the final, said: “The futsal league allowed us to continue to perform and develop our skills and fitness throughout the winter period.

“The team all performed extremely well over the season and to score a hat trick in the final was a great achievement for me personally. This has given me a massive confidence boost to take my new-found skills out onto the football pitch.”

The futsal league was introduced by Durham FA and the North East College League to minimise disruption to the women’s league in winter months and provide an opportunity to develop new skills.

Continuing the winning streak, the men’s first team at Sunderland College has been celebrating gaining the North East College Premiership League champions title, following their thrilling 4-0 win against Gateshead College.

The College’s successful men’s and women’s Football Development Centres, in association with Improtech Soccer, enables talented players to combine full-time studies with elite coaching and competitive play.

For more information about sports courses and the Sport Development Centres at Sunderland College, email sport@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk, ring 0191 511 6000 or get in touch with us using the email form on the Contact Us page.